Anger is response to a feeling or a belief that we are being attacked, injured or violated. It is an entirely natural response and is simply part of being human. In reality anger is natural energy seeking expression. Strangely, anger can be a friend since it can assist us in surviving. It can give us strength to fight back or run away when attacked or faced with injustice. Anger is neither good nor bad.
However it can be very frightening since it can lead to violent and/or destructive behaviour. If that has been our experience of other peoples’ anger then we will tend to be frightened of anger and may seek to suppress it. If the emotion of anger is released then it can build up and be stored in your body and mind and can have negative effects both to your body and your mind. The physical effects of anger that is not appropriately managed may include those listed below:
Anger might effect your:
digestion (contributing to the development of heartburn, ulcers, colitis, gastritis or irritable bowel syndrome)
heart and circulatory system (leading to blocked arteries)
blood pressure (driving it too high)
joints and muscles (resulting in inflammations, such as in arthritis)
immune system (making you more likely to catch 'flu and other bugs, and less able to recover from operations, accidents or major illnesses)
pain threshold
depression (when the anger is turned inwards)
addictions (to alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs)
compulsions (eating disorders, such as excessive dieting or binge-eating, overworking, unnecessary cleaning and any other behaviour that is out of control, including sexual activities)
bullying behaviour (trying to make someone else feel bad, because you think it will make you feel better)
ill-thought-out political activity. (A terrorist blowing up a bus, or a pacifist on a prison hunger-strike could both be 'acting out', on a bigger stage, their personal difficulties with anger.)
Psychotherapy can assist you in recognising anger and empower you to acknowledge that emotion enabling you to express the anger in an appropriate and possibly beneficial way. As a general rule anger can be expressed in an assertive way that will enable you to care for yourself. Often anger “comes out” because of past experiences – psychotherapy is an appropriate way in which to examine those past events in a safe, confidential and supportive environment